TIRUCHI: Shortage of manpower in the ‘operational units’ and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the Tiruchi Airport continues to hamper the introduction of additional flights to the city, especially during evening/night hours.
In the latest instance, a proposal of the Air India Express for increasing its flights on the Chennai-Tiruchi-Dubai sector has been shot down by Airport officials.
The airline, which is operating three flights a week on the sector, had planned a fourth on Sundays from January 25, and even sold about 40 seats. Flights on the sector by the low cost carrier are being operated to about 85 per cent load factor.
Airport officials said that it would be difficult to handle the flights that arrive in the night, sources said.
The Airport Director expressed inability to handle “any additional flight beyond the existing working hours” owing to the manpower shortage. Airport authorities are reluctant to allow evening/night operations, apparently wary of stretching the Air Traffic Control manpower to its limits.
The Airports Authority of India has suggested that the airline adjust its schedule within the present working hours until additional manpower was posted . Consequent to this, AI Express has decided to operate the flight on the Chennai-Kochi-Dubai sector.
The present strength of 113 (after the recent posting of additional men) was enough only for two shift deployment.
Introduction of additional flights would require deployment of CISF personnel in three shifts, which could not be done without manpower augmentation.
The travel trade is sore over the airport authorities’ inability to allow evening/night services.
With the new terminal building set to be opened soon, representatives in the travel trade have expressed concern over the state of affairs at the airport.
Unless airlines were provided the time slots they seek, they would not fly into the city, they said.
Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has sent a letter to the Airport Director expressing concern over the situation, which it said would have a serious impact on the travel trade business and development of the airport.
Terming the decision as a major setback to the industry, R.Venkatachalam, Chairman, South Tamil Nadu Chapter, TAAI, observed that it would also hamper the future growth of the city in terms of allied industries such as tourism, hospitality and transport sectors.
TAAI, in its representation, has urged the opening of the new terminal building at the earliest.
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